Canadiens looking for GM to ‘complement’ Gorton

While it remains to be seen how the Montreal Canadiens’ two-person approach to hockey operations will ultimately work, new executive vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton gave an idea of what the team is looking for in its next general manager.

“We want to look at all the candidates and pick the very best based on what they have,” Gorton said Friday in his first meeting with local reporters.

“Maybe it’s a person that doesn’t have a ton of experience as a general manager, but what else do they have that they could bring to the table?” he added.

“We’re going to look for somebody that’s maybe a little outside the box, that’s going to help us move forward and complement me.”

The Canadiens brought Gorton on as VP of hockey operations after former general manager Marc Bergevin was fired Sunday following Montreal’s disastrous start to the season.

Gorton, who said Friday he agreed to a “multi-year deal,” said the hunt for the Habs’ next general manager hasn’t started yet. He hopes to build the hiring process in the coming days but will not have an appointment ready before Christmas.

Canadiens owner and president Geoff Molson said last week the team was embracing a two-person job to lead the team’s hockey operations. Gorton said that next GM will have their say in the decision process and will be the one reaching out to other National Hockey League GMs when they eventually take the hot seat.

“I think it was important when I met with Geoff Molson that the general manager has a direct line to Geoff Molson and can make decisions,” Gorton said. “My role is to use all my experience to help that person and to help make this team better again.

“I wouldn’t want to be a general manager unless I had the power of a general manager.”

Molson has said the Canadiens are looking for a bilingual candidate for GM, given Montreal’s unique situation as the only NHL team in a largely francophone market.

Gorton, a Massachusetts native and childhood Boston Bruins fan, started his introductory news conference by reading a statement in French. “I’m learning,” he said afterward. “Be patient with me but I’m learning.”

Despite the Habs’ struggles, Gorton said head coach Dominique Ducharme’s job is safe for the 202122 season.